-
French pro skier Juliette Willmann dies in Patagonian avalanche aged 29
Professional skier Juliette Willmann, 29, died after an avalanche swept her and her newlywed husband down Cerro Creston in Argentina’s Patagonian Andes. Her husband, Pierre-Idris Mehdi, survived and was evacuated for treatment; her death is under investigation. The avalanche struck at about 12.30pm on Tuesday, carrying the couple roughly 1,312 feet from a starting elevation…
-
Around 700 prisoners set for early release in England and Wales
About 700 prisoners in England and Wales are due to be released early today, beginning a scheme intended to free more than 4,500 people by June. The releases have prompted criticism from opposition politicians and concern from a domestic abuse commissioner about public safety and protections for victims. Those released include people serving sentences of…
-
TIME honours Australian Communications Minister Anika Wells for championing social media age restrictions
Anika Wells, Australia’s communications minister, has been named on TIME magazine’s list of influential rising stars for championing social media age restrictions for under-16s. The honour reflects international recognition of Australia’s world-leading regulatory approach to protecting children online, which has inspired similar measures in Europe, Asia and some US states. Wells pursued the landmark restrictions…
-
Tokyo festival unveils 15-film contest featuring seven world premieres
Tokyo International Film Festival has announced its line-up, led by a 15-film Competition with seven world premieres. The selection highlights international and Asian cinema, while the festival’s wider programme includes sections for emerging filmmakers, Southeast Asian films and major gala titles. The world premieres include Garin Nugroho’s Indonesian historical drama *Red Before Dawn*, two Chinese…
-
US and Lithuanian services warn Kasparov of Russian threat to his life
Garry Kasparov said US and Lithuanian security services warned him and his associate Ivan Tyutrin that their lives were in danger, after reports that Russian agents had plotted to kill them. Kasparov said the warning was shocking but not surprising; he took precautions, while making clear that neither man had been explicitly identified in the…
-
Kemi roasts Burnham’s ‘Corbynism with better packaging’ economic vision as PM says his plan to take money from pensions to cover care costs will make the elderly more ‘financially secure’
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative Opposition leader, has attacked Andy Burnham’s proposal to modify the state pension triple lock, describing it as “Corbynism with better packaging.” Burnham’s plan would slow annual pension increases to free up funds for a new National Care Service. The Prime Minister has defended the proposal, arguing that despite lower year-on-year pension rises,…
-
Former teacher denies sexually assaulting teenager after offering her a lift home
Gareth Ritter, a former assistant head teacher who appeared in Channel 4’s *Educating Cardiff*, is on trial accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl after offering her a lift home in 2015. He denies the charge; the complainant told Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court that he took her to a flat in Cardiff Bay and touched…
-
RSC brings stage adaptations of Woolf and Clarke novels to the Swan
The Royal Shakespeare Company is taking on ambitious stage adaptations of Virginia Woolf’s *Mrs Dalloway* and Susanna Clarke’s *Piranesi*, novels whose focus on characters’ inner lives makes them difficult to translate for theatre. The productions reflect the RSC’s wider effort to bring literary works to its stages alongside Shakespeare, and will be presented in its…
-
Ageing music stars face health strains as touring continues
Ageing rock and pop superstars are struggling with health issues whilst touring, with Rod Stewart announcing his “Final Encore Tour” next year after needing oxygen during a recent performance at 81 years old. The trend reflects broader challenges facing heritage performers who continue to command sold-out crowds despite their advancing years and physical limitations. Several…
-
Zimbra flaw breaches email servers; Huawei overtakes Nvidia in China
A critical Zimbra vulnerability is being exploited to steal corporate emails and credentials. Huawei claims its Ascend processors have overtaken Nvidia in China’s chip market.